Amra Kojon literally means “a few of us” in Bangla. A few years ago, a group of music lovers from both Bengals came together in celebration of their motherland and language, beyond the borders of religion, country, politics and local organizations. For more information, check us out at http://www.amrakojon.org
Here we present behind the scenes glimpses into Amra Kojon life around the clock

Friday, February 01, 2008

Hope this email finds you well and warm in this cold month of January!

We would like to take this opportunity to inform you that Amra Kojon will celebrate its fifth anniversary with the Nobaborsha 1515 show on Saturday, May 24, 2008 at MIT's Kresge auditorium that has a capacity of 1,250.

Please take a few minutes to review some of the details regarding our upcoming event.

It is our pleasure to also inform you that the Bangladeshi Students Association at MIT (MIT-BSA) is our official host for this event just as they had been for our 2003 show. We would like to take this opportunity to extend our special thanks to MIT-BSA for hosting Amra Kojon and for their constant support for the success of the event.

Following the footsteps of our very first event, we would like to mark this fifth anniversary by presenting a show of equal magnitude, if not greater, as indicated by our 2003 event.

Bondhuraa, you would be happy to know that a large number of our performers from the first show that are all around the globe have expressed great enthusiasm in planning to participate in this latest endeavor!

As you may recall from 2003, what started as a dream for a bunch of amateurs to unite through our love of music, turned into majestic event by a sold-out show, international media coverage and music lovers from everywhere wishing us well and eager to join us.

Needless to say, we have grown over the last five years with many new faces joining the Amra Kojon music family. It was not one person, but the combined effort from all of you that has made Amra Kojon into what we are today. Together, we are now stronger than ever before and through true team effort as demonstrated over the years, we can once again accomplish an event we can all be proud of. Every effort that YOU make can thus make a difference and help us get a step closer to repeating history once again!

We really hope all of you can join us in this journey. We would truly appreciate if you could let us know by Friday 1st evening (02/01/08), if you will be interested in getting involved. Sorry for rushing you to make this decision. As you understand, we have already spent a great deal of time in trying to confirm the venue & other logistical issues.

Our script for the show will be based on Bangla movie songs: an Amra kojon presentation of Rupali Aloye Dhushor Otit (Nostalgic Tunes from the Silver Screen). We would make every effort not to compromise on the quality of the show. As a result, your commitment towards rehearsals or other aspects of the show that you would like to participate in is extremely crucial to accomplish a successful event. Friends, please know that we will start all rehearsals ON TIME. Since many of you have indicated having to take time off from work or other plans to be at rehearsals, let us all try to value each other's time and effort.

Here is the rehearsal schedule for the next 4 months. Please find the direction and the parking info as an attached file. Also, please find the attachment of our 1st email from 2002 rehearsal and a photo from our 20003 show, just to refresh our memory!!!!

Nearest parking lot is "West Garage", a multi-storied covered parking lot on Vassar St, about 300m from the venue. This is MIT parking lot which is open to people/visitors on weekends. After parking, cross Vassar St, walk throguh/by Z center (W34 and W35), make a left (you will see Kresge in front of you), and the next building on your left is Student Center (W20).

http://whereis.mit.edu/map-jpg?selection=P25&Parking=go

We would also like to plan for our first rehearsal and get together on Saturday, February 9th 2008, as this was the exact date of our first show back in 2003! Even if you cannot participate in our upcoming show, please make all possible effort to join us for this gathering. We will give you an overview of all the planning and script ideas pertaining to the upcoming event.

Friends, those of you that are on facebook, we would request you to please utilize this networking site to spread the word regarding upcoming event! Please contact your family/friends and any music lovers (Bengali/Non-Bengali) you know that may be interested in joining us as a performer/volunteer in this journey.

Bondhuraa, please note that it may not be possible for us to call each person to inform them of any rehearsal cancellations due to winter weather. At the same time, we know some of you do not check your mail in a regular basis. Therefore, in the next few months, in case of chances of inclement weather on the weekends of the rehearsals and gathering, please call at 401-331-5825 for cancellation updates. There will be updated voice recorded message regarding the rehearsal weekly. Also please visit our website regularly at www.amrakojon.org for updates.

Friends, let us make music history once again in this part of the world and make our upcoming event a truly memorable one! It is time for us to "Rock n Roll" again!!!

Thank you for your continuous cooperation with Amra Kojon. We look forward to working with you for our mega-show in May!

Hope to see you all on Saturday, Feb 9th at 2pm at MIT's Student Center.